Letters

Planning gain for the developers

The government does not appear to know its left hand from its right. The localism bill currently in the Commons allows local communities to make neighbourhood development plans, setting out what will and will not be allowed. Now the chancellor, apparently in cahoots with the local government secretary, says he will create new national planning rules allowing any "sustainable projects" to go ahead whatever local communities think (Easing rules, 24 March). Lots of green fields may now be at risk (many in Tory heartlands). But if the plans allow owners of land designated for industrial and commercial uses to make more profits by building houses instead, the economic future of many towns and cities may be put at risk. This looks like back-of-fag-packet stuff at the behest of the Tories' developer friends. It is a potential disaster, environmentally, economically – and politically – for the government parties.

• The budget proposes simplifying planning regulations – in other words, make it easier for developers to run roughshod over environmental interests. Eric Pickles, the machiavellian at the heart of these changes, is revising the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999. He proposes more "user-friendly" – that is, business-friendly – rules. The Tories have merely covered their spots with a dirty green haze and continue to deceive. When will they arrive in the 21st century and accord ecology as much importance as economics?

Roger Crawley

Kendal, Cumbria

Sign up for the Guardian Today

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.